What is Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater"? And why this version?

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) was an Italian-born composer, organist, and violinist. He is from Ancona, which is on the Adriatic side of Italy, about half-way in between Puglia (the "heel" of Italy) and Venice. He died of tuberculosis in a Capuchin monastery at the age of 26.

The Latin poem of the "Stabat Mater" depicts Mary's sorrow as she mourns Jesus after the crucifixion. J.S. Bach adored Pergolesi's setting of this text, so much so that he used parts of it in the psalm Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden (BWV 1083). Choirs and orchestras today frequently perform the "Stabat Mater" settings of Rossini and Dvořák.

This exquisite and highly-expressive work is originally for soprano and alto duet, strings, and continuo. The unique arrangement that you will hear this weekend is the result of both a performance tradition, starting in the mid-19th century, as well as a performance that happened in Hungary during the summer of 2011.

I had the pleasure of joining the faculty of Crescendo Nyari Akademia (Sárospatak, Hungary) for the first time in 2011. Some of the gifted female students of this festival were asked to study and perform sections of Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater." Due to the sudden departure of one of my colleagues, I was asked to immediately take over the project.

Italian baroque performance practice is not something I had studied extensively up until that point. I was also having to learn the piece very quickly and very well. However, the vocalists and I greatly benefited from the help of my dear friend and colleague, Italian conductor and performance practice specialist Paolo Paroni. Paolo graciously came to some rehearsals in the days prior to performance, and really helped to shape the interpretation into something very special. The performance of the entire ensemble for some of the chorus and fugues, in addition to individual duets and solos, is a great possibility for this piece. Again, it is this version which you will hear this week.

When I had discussed my summer abroad (2011) with Concentus Women's Chorus director Gwendolyn Gassler, she immediately saw the light in my eyes when talking about the Pergolesi. I had mentioned, in passing, that it was something that Concentus should undertake at some point. And now, two years later, the project is coming to fruition. Maestro Paroni was able to arrange travel to the United States and work as a clinician for Concentus, to prepare this performance. Because Concentus is a fine all-female ensemble with able soloists, this work, and this arrangement, seemed perfect.

This subject matter, about human grief and the resignation of loss, is the perfect work to perform or hear during Lent. I hope that the performance this weekend will bring people
closer to examining the mysteries of death and sorrow, and to a more introspective place during this time in the liturgical year.